the wonderful mo mowlam. john major had taken _ the wonderful mo mowlam. john major had taken over from margaret thatcher— had taken over from margaret thatcher by then and my children asked. _ thatcher by then and my children asked, daddy, is it really possible that a _ asked, daddy, is it really possible that a man — asked, daddy, is it really possible that a man could be prime minister? laughter— laughter we have had three women conservative prime _ we have had three women conservative prime ministers, assuming the most recent— prime ministers, assuming the most recent one _ prime ministers, assuming the most recent one counts, of course. laughter and we now have the first prime minister— and we now have the first prime minister who represents a yorkshire seat _ minister who represents a yorkshire seat ts _ minister who represents a yorkshire seat is that— minister who represents a yorkshire seat. is that the big deal? it certainty— seat. is that the big deal? it certainly is. the member for

richmond did not have been a better neighbour— richmond did not have been a better neighbour or a better friend for me. laughter— laughter labour were well ahead in the polls in the _ labour were well ahead in the polls in the run—up to the 1992 election and mo _ in the run—up to the 1992 election and mo mowlam had a car at the count with the _ and mo mowlam had a car at the count with the engine running ready to take her— with the engine running ready to take her down to sit in cabinet as the northern ireland secretary but once again the polling was wrong. i stood _ once again the polling was wrong. i stood in _ once again the polling was wrong. i stood in north west leicestershire in the _ stood in north west leicestershire in the tony— stood in north west leicestershire in the tony blair landslide election which _ in the tony blair landslide election which i'm — in the tony blair landslide election which i'm going to pass over... suffice — which i'm going to pass over... suffice to— which i'm going to pass over... suffice to say, both seats where i stood, _ suffice to say, both seats where i stood, redcarand leicestershire, stood, redcar and leicestershire, eventually — stood, redcarand leicestershire, eventually returned conservative members. i like to think that the goodwitt— members. i like to think that the goodwill effect was a slow burn. after— goodwill effect was a slow burn. after what i call a five year sabbatical in the european

parliament, i was selected for scarborough and whitby, a seat that had been _ scarborough and whitby, a seat that had been consistently blue since 1918 but — had been consistently blue since 1918 but had been red in 97 and 2001 _ 1918 but had been red in 97 and 2001. even though the exit polling said i_ 2001. even though the exit polling said i would lose, we prevailed on the 5th _ said i would lose, we prevailed on the 5th of— said i would lose, we prevailed on the 5th of may 2005 and i entered the 5th of may 2005 and i entered the house — the 5th of may 2005 and i entered the house at last. i would put our victory _ the house at last. i would put our victory down to one deciding factor, on the _ victory down to one deciding factor, on the eve — victory down to one deciding factor, on the eve of polling, of all the pieces— on the eve of polling, of all the places tony blair could have chosen for his _ places tony blair could have chosen for his big _ places tony blair could have chosen for his big election rally, he chose scarborough. the leader of the opposition could indulge me next time round and come to scarborough on the _ time round and come to scarborough on the eve _ time round and come to scarborough on the eve of poll to see if he can repeat _ on the eve of poll to see if he can repeat the — on the eve of poll to see if he can repeat the blair fact. i better stilt, — repeat the blair fact. i better still, have a rally in sheffield and id still, have a rally in sheffield and go the _ still, have a rally in sheffield and go the full neil kinnock. at the following election, i was the victim

of a fly— following election, i was the victim of a fly poster campaign and all over— of a fly poster campaign and all over town — of a fly poster campaign and all over town there were a four photocopies asking for question, whats _ photocopies asking for question, what's the difference between robert goodwill _ what's the difference between robert goodwill in a supermarket trolley? the tocat— goodwill in a supermarket trolley? the local newspaper concluded that a supermarket trolley has a mind of its own _ supermarket trolley has a mind of its own. �* , its own. laughter i its own. laughter i must _ its own. laughter i must admit, - its own. laughter i must admit, i - its own. laughterl i must admit, i have its own. laughter - i must admit, i have never its own. laughter _ i must admit, i have never voted against _ i must admit, i have never voted against the — i must admit, i have never voted against the tory whip so that might explain _ against the tory whip so that might explain it — against the tory whip so that might explain it. however, having been here— explain it. however, having been here a— explain it. however, having been here a while, i can now reveal the real answer— here a while, i can now reveal the real answer to the question, the difference — real answer to the question, the difference between an mp and a supermarket trolley is that there is a physical— supermarket trolley is that there is a physical limit to the amount of food _ a physical limit to the amount of food and — a physical limit to the amount of food and drink you can get into a supermarket trolley. i certainly

welcome — supermarket trolley. i certainly welcome the bills that have been announced and i would like to see convicted — announced and i would like to see convicted criminals attend their sentencing and life some of the most severe _ sentencing and life some of the most severe crimes must mean life, and fairness _ severe crimes must mean life, and fairness is — severe crimes must mean life, and fairness is part of what it means to be british— fairness is part of what it means to be british and we must make sure that the _ be british and we must make sure that the dynamic between freeholders and leaseholders is intrinsically fair in _ and leaseholders is intrinsically fair in the — and leaseholders is intrinsically fair in the same way as we should show— fair in the same way as we should show equat— fair in the same way as we should show equal respect for landlords and tenants _ show equal respect for landlords and tenants when they are doing the right— tenants when they are doing the right thing. i was pleased to see the ban — right thing. i was pleased to see the ban on — right thing. i was pleased to see the ban on live animal exports to slaughter— the ban on live animal exports to slaughter and those who were successful in the ballot for private members — successful in the ballot for private members bills will not be short of other— members bills will not be short of other suggestions both regarding animat— other suggestions both regarding animal welfare organisations to carry— animal welfare organisations to carry forward important measures in the area _ carry forward important measures in the area which is important to the government. the bill to tackle unlicensed pedicab can rip off unsuspecting tourists is before time — unsuspecting tourists is before time the _ unsuspecting tourists is before time. the focus today is on the legislative _ time. the focus today is on the legislative agenda but we cannot

ignore _ legislative agenda but we cannot ignore what is going on outside our borders— ignore what is going on outside our borders and — ignore what is going on outside our borders and the butchery we saw from hamas _ borders and the butchery we saw from hamas on— borders and the butchery we saw from hamas on the 7th of october was evil bevond _ hamas on the 7th of october was evil beyond anything most of us can imagine — beyond anything most of us can imagine and yes, these thugs are terrorists. — imagine and yes, these thugs are terrorists, bbc. if there atrocities had been — terrorists, bbc. if there atrocities had been on our soil we would also have _ had been on our soil we would also have been— had been on our soil we would also have been expected to launch a robust — have been expected to launch a robust response and israel has the i’ili'it robust response and israel has the right as _ robust response and israel has the right as well. what else did hamas expect— right as well. what else did hamas expect would happen? the conflict in ukraine _ expect would happen? the conflict in ukraine may be off the front pages but we _ ukraine may be off the front pages but we must not waver in our support for the _ but we must not waver in our support for the courageous ukrainian people. good government is not about how many— good government is not about how many taws — good government is not about how many laws you have and how many you announce _ many laws you have and how many you announce but _ many laws you have and how many you announce but how you respond to changing — announce but how you respond to changing and unexpected events like the pandemic. hindsight is a wonderful thing. the pandemic. hindsight is a wonderfulthing. but the pandemic. hindsight is a wonderful thing. but the prime minister's schemes were the right thing _ minister's schemes were the right thing to— minister's schemes were the right thing to do. the universal credit

svstem — thing to do. the universal credit system was also robust in the face of unprecedented demand and with smatt— of unprecedented demand and with small boat crossings in the channel down _ small boat crossings in the channel down by— small boat crossings in the channel down by a — small boat crossings in the channel down by a fifth we are making progress _ down by a fifth we are making progress in curbing the organised criminal— progress in curbing the organised criminal gangs engaged in this dangerous trade. furthermore if we can stand _ dangerous trade. furthermore if we can stand up the rwanda scheme it will be _ can stand up the rwanda scheme it will be a _ can stand up the rwanda scheme it will be a game changer. our tribute to those _ will be a game changer. our tribute to those most in need and not those most _ to those most in need and not those most able _ to those most in need and not those most able to pay. finally, a true story— most able to pay. finally, a true story from — most able to pay. finally, a true story from the 2019 winter general election— story from the 2019 winter general election and i heard your strictures about— election and i heard your strictures about being truthful and this is absolutely true. one of the strongest labour areas in my patch is a former— strongest labour areas in my patch is a former council estate called eastfietd — is a former council estate called eastfield and we usually go there early— eastfield and we usually go there early in _ eastfield and we usually go there early in the campaign to get it out of the _ early in the campaign to get it out of the wav~ — early in the campaign to get it out of the way. but this time it was different — of the way. but this time it was different. people crossed the street to shake _ different. people crossed the street to shake my hand, and they had voted for brexit— to shake my hand, and they had voted for brexit and wanted to get it done and were _ for brexit and wanted to get it done and were sick of being ignored. my

wife knocked on one door and the lady who— wife knocked on one door and the lady who answered was effusive in her admiration for prime minister johnson _ her admiration for prime minister johnson and arriving myself i asked why she _ johnson and arriving myself i asked why she was so enthusiastic and she said, _ why she was so enthusiastic and she said. boris— why she was so enthusiastic and she said. boris is— why she was so enthusiastic and she said, boris is one of us. when i pointed — said, boris is one of us. when i pointed out _ said, boris is one of us. when i pointed out he had been to eton and oxford. _ pointed out he had been to eton and oxford. she — pointed out he had been to eton and oxford, she said, you don't understand, he had a row with his wife and _ understand, he had a row with his wife and the police came round. laughter that's what happens on this straight all the _ that's what happens on this straight all the time. i commend this gracious— all the time. i commend this gracious speech to the house. —— on this street _ gracious speech to the house. —— on this street att — gracious speech to the house. —— on this street all the time. she born baitev _ it is an honour to follow this address. this is the first state

opening of his majesty the king and the late queen was an inspiration for everyone across this great nation and for members of this house she reminded us that despite the melodrama politics, we are here to serve the public. the king is already following in his mother's footsteps and making us proud. although when i told my nonpolitical family i was going to be talking about the kings speech, the response i got was, oh great, that's a really good film. talking about a hard act to follow, the memberfor scarborough and whitby got a lot of laughs and i know the areas he is talking about and i think he has landed the promotion with that speech. we have many connections which i will touch on but his scarborough fc is playing for a screen in the fa cup next week from

stroud so we have another rumble to come. —— playing forest green. i know he is a lovely new grandchildren will be keeping him very busy when he retires. i went to school in the member's constituency and if i could tell a younger me in scarborough wearing spice girl platforms and a second—hand umbro jumper, it was a very strong look and i'm very grateful that camera phones were not around, but if i could tell that young fashionista that i would have the privilege of representing the most beautiful constituency of stroud, speaking ahead of the prime minister after being in the same room as the king and queen, i think the young we would have thought i had lost the plot. what did the conservative party do for a free school meal kid who left at 15 and did not go to uni? they gave me a seat at the most

famous palace in the world led by the son of a pharmacist who is leading the most diverse cabinet we have ever had. the public service bit of thisjob have ever had. the public service bit of this job motivates me have ever had. the public service bit of thisjob motivates me but have ever had. the public service bit of this job motivates me but it is not what is the headlines and i'm often asked, how do you survive with everybody backstabbing and doing their own thing and out to get each other and ijust smile and say, i don't hang around with the labour party. we are all in it together. i love you all, really. to be honest, the plp has nothing on the stroud labour party in terms of falling out with each other. but to survive in this place you have got to find some friends and then fully expect them to pursue in the terms in the run—up to pursue in the terms in the run—up to a reshuffle. and also gain new

friends —— push you in the river thames. i missed the daily messages from the right honourable memberfor birmingham and his text messages are left famous than his scary hand written notes about the economy. but they are still persistent. back to navigating a workplace that is as mad as a box of frogs. i came up with operation green benches whereby i shine history books and hansard and research parliamentary sketches instead and quentin letts once wrote that up here is the naughty corner so that sorted out where i was going to sit and it sounded fine and he was right. i then realised that identifying the loudest colleagues to sit with and effectively hide behind could be absolutely crucial to avoiding the wrasse of the

speaker and the right honourable member seem to fit this bill —— the wrath. he is watching from home but no doubt he is wearing a waistcoat. the memberfor no doubt he is wearing a waistcoat. the member for north no doubt he is wearing a waistcoat. the memberfor north dorset and no doubt he is wearing a waistcoat. the member for north dorset and the memberfor the member for north dorset and the member for south the member for north dorset and the memberfor south swindon the member for north dorset and the member for south swindon are often depicted as noisy and boisterous and they appear to come free with bagpipe lungs in a creative deal. but this strategy is certainly one that has given me a dysfunctional but always hilarious and caring chained a family who i love dearly and the other five gloucestershire mps are also leading lights including the member of the forest of dean who taught me that consistent rebelling does not hinder ones career. consistent rebelling does not hinder

ones career-— ones career. laughter it is ones career. laughter it is ok, _ ones career. laughter it is ok, chief— ones career. laughter it is ok, chief whip, - ones career. laughter| it is ok, chief whip, i'm ones career. laughter - it is ok, chief whip, i'm not ones career. laughter _ it is ok, chief whip, i'm not going to follow this. my kids come to work with me so they support me in my own chaotic way. my daughter age three, dressed as a witch on halloween, she skipped up some steps and turned to me and said, this isjust like canvassing. the door opened and she won't, trick or treat. i said, canvassing. the door opened and she won't, trick or treat. isaid, i blame see hq for the disaster. we support each other and that's on both sides of the house and i congratulate the member for brecon and radnorshire on her wedding. she looked radiant and i wish her and her husband a long and happy life together. i am shaft to be the first mp from stroud to ——iam —— i am very happy to be the first mp from stroud to second the kings speech. we have an industrial and

creative spirit and people expect a lot of their public servants in our neck of the words and i mainly sit in the house of commons library dealing with endless amounts of casework and correspondence and i'm having such success and chipping away problems like dry courthouse, accessibility at stroud station and new challenges like postnatal beds. people take the mick out of me sitting the library but i really like it. the memberfor totnes, and denizen of the library, texted me one day and said come and see my taught us. —— come and see my tortoise. i had heard about public school boys and how they like to give nicknames to things sol school boys and how they like to give nicknames to things so i came in with fear and trepidation to see his tortoise but happily it was

actually your tortoise that i got to see, and he was eating merrily on the terrace and your decision to add creatures to this already odd place is very welcome. i listened carefully to what his majesty the king had to say earlier. it is customary to be jolly in seconding a speech, but we know that these are difficult times, to hear that the government focus is on security challenges both domestic and international was extremely important. i can get behind all actions to increase economic growth and help our constituents with day—to—day pressures or injustices. by day—to—day pressures or injustices. by way of an example, stroud constituents should not be ripped off by rogue property management companies. i commend the campaigning of local people and the honourable members of bedfordshire and westminster to get leasehold reform and protections for homeowners on the agenda. the king's comments about putting people in control of their future and a focus on town regeneration give me hope for high

streets, businesses and fantastic